Budget Proposal Would Increase Taxes by 3.18 Percent

WINDSOR — — Town Manager Peter Souza is proposing a 3.24 percent, or $3.2 million increase in spending over the current year.

The $102 million spending plan for 2013-14, would result in 3.18 percent tax increase. Souza said that with ongoing property revaluation factored in, a majority of homeowners would see a tax increase of less that $225.

The budget proposal includes $1.55 million, or 2.49 percent more for schools, $815,000, or 3 percent more for the town operating budget, $900,000, or 171 percent more for capital projects and open space and $176,000, or 3 percent more for debt service. The capital budget was increased by $569,000 and is the first requested increase in six years, Souza said.

The majority of increases on the town operating budget are: $323,000 for salaries and wages; $110,000 for pensions; $65,000 for insurance; $50,000 for computer hardware upgrades; and a $50,000 grant to help the Windsor Historical Society with its capital campaign to restore the Strong-Howard House.

The majority of capital project increases include $165,000 for equipment for the department of public works and $150,000 for pavement maintenance.

The proposal also includes a $250,000 contribution to open space, the town's first since 2008.

Funding for debt service will be dedicated to infrastructure and major road repairs and is part of the council's plan to commit to 3 percent increases annually for the next three to five years.

"One of our primary objectives was to preserve current levels and quality of services," Souza said Thursday. "I think this budget does that."

Mayor Donald Trinks said Thursday that the council would take a close look at the proposal to determine if it could be reduced without diminishing current service levels.

Trinks added that he could be a difficult year to get the budget passed at referendum because some residents have expressed mistrust in town government related to construction of the Dollar Tree distribution facility and the approval of an apartment complex in the Poquonock neighborhood.

A public hearing to comment on the budget will be held Monday, beginning at 7:15 p.m.. Souza will formally present the budget to the council beginning at 7:30 p.m. The town council is expected to adopt the budget April 24 and it is tentatively scheduled to go to referendum May 14.